A typical ERP Deployment for any Global company typical consider as Global, Regional or Local Deployment , which can be best understood as:

Global ERP -Corporations with common business areas that are seeking to centralize management and standardize business processes across geographies and divisions

Regional ERP -Corporations that operate in group of regional businesses which need to meet unique requirements of particular markets and comply with statutory or legal requirements

Local ERP -Corporations with significantly different business areas having significantly different business process requirements

ERP Implementation /Rollout Options

If you see any ERP books you can find three dominant approaches for ERP implementation , which are "big bang", location-wise and module-wise implementation.

In the big bang approach the organization decides to implement all relevant modules, for example - Financials, Manufacturing & HR- all at the same time. This has the advantage of getting the full benefit of the integrated software across all functions of the organization. However there is a risk of the implementation getting out of control.

In "Location-wise" implementation, the organization chooses a specific location, say, the head office, one of the new plants etc. The choice could be based on better infrastructure, better IT culture, more co-operative set of users, higher level of automation etc.

In "module-wise" implementation individual modules are taken up for implementation in a phased manner depending on the criticality of applications. Once again a module taken up for implementation can be implemented across all locations or just one location. Later they can be rolled out to other locations.

In reality these Implementation /Rollout Options are typically categorize into two major category as:

Big Bang : In which all modules implemented in all business units in all geographies at the same time

Phased : In which Modules implemented one at a time or in small, logical groups

There is also exist something exist known as "Wave” : A hybrid approach that can take many forms Implement all modules in a given geography Move on to next geography, etc.Lets take a closure look:

Big Bangs

All modules, all locations, all users at the same time.

This consist of three major steps

All relevant MAPs are designed and implemented in software.

Extensive test of individual modules and interfaces between modules and other systems take place

Shut down older/legacy system(s) and start up production ERP system with very short cut-off time frame.

Advantage

Entire organization reaps the benefits of the deployed system, as enforce process change

This inturn quicker return on investment

Easier integration and reporting

No temporary interfaces required (to legacy systems)

Lower cost of running the systems as legacy systems are closure simultaneously

Faster Implementation timeline , as resource requirements is well planned as well as in this there is no need to design and build temporary interfaces to legacy systems

Disadvantages

High capital and human resource investment, as this requires a very big team and Project management is one of major focus area.

Any technical/performance issue affects the entire user population

Requires training of the entire user population

Complex deployment and testing

No way to demonstrate progress until entire system implemented that mean mistakes are costly -any issue affects the entire population

Phase Wise & Hybrid

Modules implemented one at time or in small groups

Advantages

Low investment in terms of capital and effort

More manageable and less risky

Learning from the initial deployment can be applied to the subsequent deployments

Hierarchy and Control : whenever there are number of ‘layers’ in the management hierarchy and degree( this can be understood as maturity of management processes) to which organizational controls are in place